Stretchable waist with draw chord

ABSTRACT

A securing mechanism for a waist of a clothing bottom includes a casing that defines a waist circumference. An elastic has first and second ends and is located entirely within the casing. A first draw cord is attached to the first end of the elastic, extends inside the casing, protrude out through a first hole to be located outside of the casing. A second draw cord is attached to the second end of the elastic, extends inside the casing, protrude out through a second hole to be located outside the casing. Portions of the first and second draw cords that are located outside of the casing are shorter than or approximately three inches in length when the waist circumference of the casing is fully extended.

BACKGROUND

The waist of a clothing bottom, such as pants or trousers, shorts or a skirt, is essential for keeping the garment up and in position and may utilize many different types of waist securing mechanisms including a button, a clasp, a drawstring or draw cord, elastic, a knot and a zipper. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires that certain waist drawstrings on bottoms of children's clothing up to size 16 cannot have more than three inches of drawstring hanging out when the clothing is at its fullest waist. This rule was implemented because of the inherent danger of drawstrings getting entangled or caught on catch points. Example catch points include protruding bolts or tiny spaces on playground equipment, bus doors or cribs.

The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

SUMMARY

A securing mechanism for a waist of a clothing bottom includes a casing that defines a waist circumference and provides an inner tunnel and first and second holes located at a front of the casing. An elastic has a first end and an opposing second end and is located entirely within the inner tunnel of the casing. A first draw cord has a first end attached to the first end of the elastic, extends inside the casing along the inner tunnel, protrudes out through the first hole to be located outside of the casing and terminates at a second end of the first draw cord. A second draw cord has a first end attached to the second end of the elastic, extends inside the casing along the inner tunnel, protrudes out through the second hole to be located outside the casing and terminates at a second end of the second draw cord. Portions of the first and second draw cords that are located outside of the casing are shorter than or approximately three inches in length when the waist circumference of the casing is fully extended.

A securing mechanism for a waist of a clothing bottom includes a casing that defines a waist circumference. An elastic has a first end and an opposing second end and is located entirely within the casing. A first draw cord has a first end attached to the first end of the elastic and extends from inside the casing and terminates at a second end outside of the casing. A second draw cord has a first end attached to the second end of the elastic and extends inside the casing and terminates at a second end outside the casing. Portions of the first and second draw cords are pulled out of the casing to tighten the waist circumference of the casing from a relaxed casing configuration to a tightened casing configuration. The portions of the first and second draw cords are tied together to secure the waist circumference in the tightened configuration. The portions of the first and second draw cords that are located outside of the casing in the relaxed casing configuration are shorter than or approximately three inches in length.

A method of wearing a clothing bottom includes pulling a pair of draw cords out of a casing to tighten the waist circumference of the casing around a waist of a wearer. A first end of one of the pair of draw cords is attached to a first end of an elastic located entirely within the casing and a first end of the other of the pair of draw cords is attached to a second end of the elastic located entirely within the casing. The pair of draw cords are tied together to secure the draw cords into the tightened waist circumference so the clothing bottom will not fall off. Portions of the pair of draw cords that are located outside of the casing when the waist circumference of the casing is fully expanded are shorter than or approximately three inches.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a clothing bottom in its relaxed waist circumference according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the clothing bottom illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the clothing bottom illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a panoramic representation of the circumference of the waist of the clothing bottom illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the clothing bottom with a tightened waist circumference and untied draw cords according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the clothing bottom in FIG. 5 with tied draw cords according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the clothing bottom illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the clothing bottom illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a panoramic representation of the circumference of the waist of the clothing bottom illustrated in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Draw cords or drawstrings are made of a rigid material with very little to no stretch, such as string, cord, lace or rope, and are used to “draw” (i.e., gather or shorten) fabric or other material. For example, a draw cord can be used to gather the casing (i.e., a continuous tube or tunnel of material) located at a waist on a clothing bottom in order to secure the waist around the waistline of the wearer and hold the waist up much like a belt. After drawing the fabric or other material, the draw cord can be tied to hold the material in place. Such tying may include bows and/or other knots that provide not only the functional purpose of securing the waist in place, but also as an aesthetic to the design of the clothing bottom. Elastic is another securing mechanism for a waist of a clothing bottom. Elastic is a stretchable material that can also be used to gather the casing located at a waist on a clothing bottom in order to allow for variations in fit.

Draw cords as securing mechanisms are not optimal for tightening and holding a waist in children's clothing because young children do not know how to tie or untie draw cords. Elastic, on the other hand, is desirable in children's clothing because there is no secondary action needed for securing. However, the aesthetic of a draw cord is still desirable in children's clothing bottoms so oftentimes children's shorts or pants will include a full elastic waist as the clasping mechanism with a pair of drawstrings separately attached at the front for tying. These separately attached drawstrings do not provide any sort of functional use in keeping the pants up and are for satisfying aesthetic requirements only. Because of safety regulations, these aesthetic drawstrings can only hang three inches when the casing at the waist is fully extended. It has become evident that the three inches allotted leave little room for a parent to tie an aesthetic drawstring that will stay tied.

Described in the embodiments herein are a securing mechanism for a clothing bottom that combines the aesthetic and functional aspects of both a draw cord securing mechanism with an elastic securing mechanism. In particular, the embodiments solve the following problems: having enough draw cord for a parent to aesthetically and functionally tie a pair of drawstrings, complying with the safety regulation of only allowing three inches of draw cord to hang when the waist is fully extended and allowing a child to remove their shorts or pants to use the bathroom or change without having to untie the drawstring.

FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a back view and FIG. 3 is a top view of a clothing bottom 100 in its relaxed, fully extended waist circumference or fully extended waist configuration according to one embodiment. A fully extended waist circumference or configuration is one where the casing located at a waist of clothing bottom having a draw cord is not “drawn” (i.e., gathered or shortened). Clothing bottom 100 is a pair of shorts having a waist 102 and a pair of legs 104 and 106. While clothing bottom 100 is a pair of shorts, as previously discussed, clothing bottom 100 can be any number of different bottoms including pants or trousers or a skirt, for example.

Waist 102 includes a casing 108, an elastic 110 and a pair of draw cords 112 and 114 each attached to opposing ends of elastic 110. Casing 108 is a tube or tunnel of material defined by an outer facing side 107 and an inner facing side 109 so as to provide an empty space in between that forms the tube or the tunnel. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the entire length of elastic 110 is located inside casing 108. While elastic 110 is entirely hidden from view by casing 108, in FIGS. 1-3 elastic 110 is shown in phantom lines. In the illustrated embodiment, elastic 110 is made, for example, from a 37 gauge braided elastic.

Each draw cord 112 and 114 includes a portion 112 a and 114 a located outside casing 108 and hanging from one of first hole 116 and second hole 118 in casing 108. Each draw cord 112 and 114 also includes a portion 112 b and 114 b located inside casing 108. While portions 112 b and 114 b are hidden from view by casing 108, in FIGS. 1-3 portions 112 b and 114 b are shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 4 is a panoramic representation of waist 102 in its fully extended waist circumference or configuration with length 113 of portion 112 a of first draw cord 112 and length 115 of portion 114 a of second draw cord 114 being shorter than or equal to approximately three inches. In one embodiment, the portions of the first draw cord 112 and second draw cord 114 that are outside the casing (112 a and 1114 a) when the casing is fully extended or in a relaxed configuration are between approximately zero and three inches. In other embodiments, portions 112 a and 114 a in the fully extended casing configuration are between one and three inches, 1.5 and three inches, two and three inches or approximately three inches. The representation in FIG. 4 is a panorama or wide angle view taken of the inner circumference of waist 102. In this view, inner facing side 109 of casing 108 is removed to reveal outer facing side 107 of casing 108. With inner facing side 109 removed, also illustrated are elastic 110 and the entirety of the pair of draw cords 112 and 114. As illustrated, elastic 110 extends from a first end 120 to a second end 122, first draw cord 112 extends from a first end 124 to a second end 126 and second draw cord 114 extends from a first end 128 to a second end 130.

Second end 126 of first draw cord 112 is attached to elastic 110 at a first overlap 132. First overlap 132 includes both an end portion including first end 120 of elastic 110 and an end portion including second end 126 of first draw cord 112 that are attached together by, for example, stitching. It should be realized that other method of attaching are possible. In one embodiment, the attachment is made by a pair of spaced apart bartack stitchings 134 a and 134 b (first and second bartack stitchings). Therefore, first overlap 132 is defined between first end 120 of elastic 110 and second end 126 of first draw cord 112. In the illustrated embodiment, first overlap 132 is approximately 0.75 inches. In other words, the end portion of elastic 110 is 0.75 inches and the end portion of first draw cord 112 is 0.75 inches. Although the illustrated embodiment includes approximately 0.75 inches for first overlap 132, any number less than or greater than 0.75 inches is possible.

Second end 130 of second draw cord 114 is attached to elastic 110 at a second overlap 136. Second overlap 136 includes both an end portion including second end 122 of elastic 110 and an end portion including second end 126 of second draw cord 114 that are attached together by, for example, stitching. In one embodiment, the attachment is made by a pair of spaced apart bartack stitchings 138 a and 138 b (third and fourth bartack stitchings). Therefore, second overlap 136 is defined between second end 122 of elastic 110 and second end 130 of second draw cord 114. In the illustrated embodiment, second overlap 136 is approximately 0.75 inches. In other words, the end portion of elastic 110 is 0.75 inches and the end portion of second draw cord 114 is 0.75 inches. Although the illustrated embodiment includes 0.75 inches for second overlap 136, any number less than or greater than 0.75 inches is possible.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and under one embodiment, each of draw cord 112 and 114 also includes a cap 140 and a cap 142. Cap 140 is located over first end 124 and extends for a distance along first draw cord 112 and cap 142 is located over second end 124 and extends for a distance along second draw cord 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance caps 140 and 142 extend are approximately 1.0 inch, however, other distances are possible. In addition, any number of other types of ends on draw cords 112 and 114 are possible including thread wrapped, bartacked, raw edge, folded, tacked and etc.

Outside of three inch portions 112 a and 114 a of draw cords 112 and 114, the other dimensions of components are sized to match different sized clothing bottoms. However, all sizes ensure that overlaps 132 and 136 lie on the right hip side 103 and left hip side 105, respectively, of waist 102 in its fully extended waist circumference or configuration. This is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 where overlaps 132 and 136 are located on the right and left hip sides 103 and 105, respectively, of waist 102.

For example, in a 6/9 month infant size, casing 108 in its fully extended waist circumference 144 is approximately 16.5 inches. A length 146 of elastic 110 from first end 120 to second end 122 is approximately 9.75 inches. Not taking into account the overlaps 132 and 136, a length 147 of elastic 110 is approximately 8.25 inches. A length 148 of first draw cord 112 from first end 124 to second end 126 is approximately 7.875 inches with portion 112 b located inside of casing 108 having a length 150 that is approximately 4.875 inches. Likewise, a length 152 of second draw cord 114 from first end 128 to second end 130 is approximately 7.875 inches with portion 112 b located inside of casing 108 having a length 154 that is approximately 4.875 inches.

In a 3T toddler size, casing 108 in its fully extended waist circumference 144 is approximately 18.0 inches. A length 146 of elastic 110 from first end 120 to second end 122 is approximately 10.5 inches. Not taking into account the overlaps 132 and 136, a length 147 of elastic 110 is approximately 9 inches. A length 148 of first draw cord 112 from first end 124 to second end 126 is approximately 8.25 inches with portion 112 b located inside of casing 108 having a length 150 that is approximately 5.25 inches. Likewise, a length 152 of second draw cord 114 from first end 128 to second end 130 is approximately 8.25 inches with portion 112 b located inside of casing 108 having a length 154 that is approximately 5.25 inches.

In a medium a big kid's size (approximately a size 7-8), casing 108 in its fully extended waist circumference 144 is approximately 23.5 inches. A length 146 of elastic 110 from first end 120 to second end 122 is approximately 13.25 inches. Not taking into account the overlaps 132 and 136, a length 147 of elastic 110 is approximately 11.75 inches. A length 148 of first draw cord 112 from first end 124 to second end 126 is approximately 9.625 inches with portion 112 b located inside of casing 108 having a length 150 that is approximately 6.625 inches. Likewise, a length 152 of second draw cord 114 from first end 128 to second end 130 is approximately 9.625 inches with portion 112 b located inside of casing 108 having a length 154 that is approximately 6.625 inches.

As a result, when not taking into account overlaps 132 and 136, length 147 of elastic 110 in all sizes is approximately half the size of fully extended waist circumference 144. This dimensioning allows for elastic 110 to span the back of clothing bottom 100, for overlaps 132 and 136 to be located at the right and left hip sides 103 and 105, respectively, of waist 102 and for draw cords 112 and 114 to be located at a front of clothing bottom 100.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front views, FIG. 7 is a back view and FIG. 8 is a top view and FIG. 9 is a panoramic representation of waist 102 of clothing bottom 100 in its tightened circumference or configuration. More specifically, the representation in FIG. 9 is a panorama or wide angle view taken of the inner circumference of waist 102 with inner facing side 109 removed. In FIGS. 5-9, the waist circumference of clothing bottom 100 has been tightened according to another embodiment. FIGS. 5 and 9 illustrate clothing bottom 100 tightened, but with draw cords 112 and 114 not tied or secured, while FIGS. 6-8 illustrate clothing bottom 100 tightened with draw cords 112 and 114 tied or secured into an aesthetic and functional bow/knot.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9, a parent or other person would pull on draw cords 112 and 114 to tighten casing 108 around the waist of the child or wearer so that the amount of draw cord or portions of draw cord 112 a and 114 a that are located outside casing 108 is an amount greater than the approximate three inches allowed when the waist circumference is at its fully extended circumference or configuration. As illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, draw cord portions 112 a and 114 a are then tied. The tie of draw cord portions 112 a and 114 b secure draw cords 112 and 114 in this tightened configuration, but in addition, the tying provides an aesthetic appeal to clothing bottom 100. As also illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, when draw cords 112 and 114 are pulled to tighten casing 108 around the waist of a child or wearer, overlaps 132 and 136 are also moved from their positions at the child's right and left hip sides 103 and 105, respectively, to be located at a position between the right and left hip sides 103 and 105 and holes 116 and 118.

While the lengths of most of the components of waist 102 do not change from the extended waist illustrated in FIG. 4 to the tightened waist illustrated in FIG. 9 (such as overlaps 132 and 136 and overall lengths 148 and 152 of draw cords 112 and 114), length 144 of waist circumference does. In FIG. 9, the waist circumference has been tightened and thus has a length 144 that is less than length 144 shown in FIG. 4. For example, length 144 illustrated in FIG. 9 in a 6/9 month size would be less than 16.5 inches, in a 3T toddler size less than 18.0 inches and in a medium big kids size less than 23.5 inches. In addition, while overlaps 132 and 136 will remain substantially the same in length because the draw cords 112 and 114 are tacked down to elastic 110, elastic 110 in FIG. 9 may or may not stretch to a greater length 146 than length 146 in FIG. 4, which may or may not cause length 147 in FIG. 9 to also be greater than length 147 in FIG. 4. Still further, while draw cords 112 and 114 in FIG. 9 remain at the same overall lengths 148 and 152 as in FIG. 4, the lengths 113 and 115 in FIG. 9 of draw cord portions 112 a and 114 a located outside of casing 108 are greater than lengths 113 and 115 of draw cord portions 112 a and 114 a in FIG. 4. For example, lengths 113 and 115 illustrated in FIG. 9 in a 6/9 month size, 3T toddler size and a medium big kid's size would be greater than 3 inches. Likewise, the lengths 150 and 154 in FIG. 9 of draw cord portions 112 b and 114 b located inside of casing 108 are less than lengths 150 and 154 of draw cord portions 112 b and 114 b in FIG. 4. For example, lengths 150 and 54 illustrated in FIG. 9 in a 6/9 month size would be less than 4.875 inches, in a 3T toddler size less than 5.25 inches and in a medium big kid's size less than 6.625 inches.

After a parent or other person pulls on draw cords 112 and 114 to tighten casing 108 around the waist of the child or wearer and the parent or other person ties a bow/knot to secure the draw cords 112 and 114 in the tightened position, the child will still be able to pull clothing bottom 100 down for using the bathroom or undressing without having to untie or retie the bow/knot. This is because elastic 110 will allow added stretch to waist 102 for these maneuvers that a full draw cord waist cannot provide.

Although elements have been shown or described as separate embodiments above, portions of each embodiment may be combined with all or part of other embodiments described above.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A securing mechanism for a waist of a clothing bottom comprising: a casing defining a waist circumference and providing an inner tunnel and first and second holes located at a front of the casing; an elastic having a first end and an opposing second end and located entirely within the inner tunnel of the casing; a first draw cord having a first end attached to the first end of the elastic, extending inside the casing along the inner tunnel, protruding out through the first hole so that a portion is located outside of the casing and terminating at a second end of the first draw cord; and a second draw cord having a first end attached to the second end of the elastic, extending inside the casing along the inner tunnel, protruding out through the second holes so that a portion is located outside the casing and terminating at a second end of the second draw cord; and wherein portions of the first and second draw cords that are located outside of the casing are shorter than or equal to approximately three inches in length when the waist circumference of the casing is fully extended.
 2. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the portions of the first and second draw cords that are located outside of the casing are approximately one to three inches in length when the waist circumference of the casing is fully extended.
 3. The securing mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first end of the first draw cord that is attached to the first end of the elastic overlaps the elastic so that a length of the elastic including the first end of the elastic is attached to a length of the first draw cord including the first end of the first draw cord and wherein the first end of the second draw cord that is attached to the second end of the elastic overlaps the elastic so that a length of the elastic including the second end of the elastic is attached to a length of the second draw cord including the first end of the second draw cord.
 4. The securing mechanism of claim 3, wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the first draw cord including the first end of the elastic and the first end of the first draw cord is located at a right hip side of the waist when the waist circumference of the casing is fully extended and wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the second draw cord including the second end of the elastic and the first end of the second draw cord is located on a left hip side of the waist when the waist circumference of the casing is fully extended.
 5. The securing mechanism of claim 3, wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the first draw cord including the first end of the elastic and the first end of the first draw cord is located between the first hole and the right hip side of the waist when the waist circumference of the casing is tightened and wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the second draw cord including the second end of the elastic and the first end of the second draw cord is located between the second hole and the left hip side of the waist when the waist circumference of the casing is tightened.
 6. The securing mechanism of claim 3, wherein the length of elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the first draw cord including the first end of the elastic and the first end of the first draw cord is attached at a first stitching and a second stitching spaced apart from the first stitching and wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the second draw cord including the second end of the elastic and the first end of the second draw cord is attached at a third stitching and a fourth stitching spaced apart from the third stitching.
 7. The securing mechanism of claim 3, wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the first draw cord including the first end of the elastic and the first end of the first draw cord and the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the second draw cord including the second end of the elastic and the first end of the second draw cord remains the same whether the waist circumference of the casing is fully extended or is tightened.
 8. The securing mechanism of claim 2, wherein the portions of the first and second draw cords that are located outside of the casing are secured into a bow or knot when the waist circumference of the casing is tightened.
 9. The securing mechanism of claim 8, wherein the casing of the waist circumference can further extend by stretching the elastic in the casing to remove the clothing bottom even when the circumference of the casing is tightened and the first and second draw cords are secured into the bow or knot.
 10. A securing mechanism for a waist of a clothing bottom comprising: a casing defining a waist circumference; an elastic having a first end and an opposing second end and located entirely within a portion of the casing; a first draw cord having a first end attached to the first end of the elastic and extending from inside the casing and terminating at a second end outside of the casing; and a second draw cord having a first end attached to the second end of the elastic and extending inside the casing and terminating at a second end outside the casing; wherein portions of the first and second draw cords are pulled out of the casing to tighten the waist circumference of the casing from a relaxed casing configuration to a tightened casing configuration and the portions of the first and second draw cords are tied together to secure the waist circumference in the tightened casing configuration; and wherein the portions of the first and second draw cords that are located outside of the casing in the relaxed casing configuration are shorter than or equal to approximately three inches in length.
 11. The securing mechanism of claim 10, wherein the portions of the first and second draw cords that are located outside of the casing are approximately one to three inches in length when the waist circumference of the casing is relaxed.
 12. The securing mechanism of claim 10, wherein the first end of the first draw cord that is attached to the first end of the elastic overlaps the elastic so that a length of the elastic including the first end of the elastic is attached to a length of the first draw cord including the first end of the first draw cord and wherein the first end of the second draw cord that is attached to the second end of the elastic overlaps the elastic so that a length of the elastic including the second end of the elastic is attached to a length of the second draw cord including the first end of the second draw cord.
 13. The securing mechanism of claim 12, wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the first draw cord including the first end of the elastic and the first end of the first draw cord is located at a right hip side of the waist in the relaxed casing configuration and wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the second draw cord including the second end of the elastic and the first end of the second draw cord is located on a left hip side of the waist in the relaxed casing configuration.
 14. The securing mechanism of claim 13, wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the first draw cord including the first end of the elastic and the first end of the first draw cord is located between a front and the right hip side of the waist in the tightened casing configuration and wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the second draw cord including the second end of the elastic and the first end of the second draw cord is located between the front and the left hip side of the waist in the tightened casing configuration.
 15. The securing mechanism of claim 12, wherein the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the first draw cord including the first end of the elastic and the first end of the first draw cord and the length of the elastic that attaches to and overlaps the length of the second draw cord including the second end of the elastic and the first end of the second draw cord remains the same whether in the relaxed casing configuration or in the tightened casing configuration.
 16. The securing mechanism of claim 10, wherein the portions of the first and second draw cords that are located outside of the casing are secured into a bow or knot in the tightened casing configuration.
 17. The securing mechanism of claim 10, wherein the casing of the waist circumference can further extend by stretching the elastic in the casing to remove the clothing bottom even in the tightened casing configuration and when the first and second draw cords are secured.
 18. A method of wearing a clothing bottom comprising: pulling a pair of draw cords out of a casing to tighten the waist circumference of the casing around a waist of a wearer, wherein a first end of one of the pair of draw cords is attached to a first end of an elastic located entirely within the casing and a first end of the other of the pair of draw cords is attached to a second end of the elastic located entirely within the casing; tying the pair of draw cords together to secure the draw cords into the tightened waist circumference so the clothing bottom will not fall off; and wherein portions of the pair of draw cords that are located outside of the casing when the waist circumference of the casing is fully extended are shorter than or equal to approximately three inches.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising removing the clothing bottom from the waist of the person without having to untie the pair of draw cords by stretching the elastic in the casing over the person's hips.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the portions of the pair of draw cords that are located outside of the casing when the waist circumference of the casing is fully extended are approximately one to three inches in length. 